Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region covers over 16,000,000
square kilometers (6,176,000 square miles), one-sixth of China's
total territory, making it China's largest province. Xinjiang borders
Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan,
Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. With a population
of over 19 million, Xinjiang is home to 47 ethnic groups including
the Uygur, the major ethnic group in Xinjiang.
When to go
Xinjiang has a desert climate with a low annual rainfall of only
150 millimeters (6 inches). Winters are very cold and summers extremely
hot. The best time to visit this province is in the autumn, when
the days are long, the sky is clear and temperatures more bearable
than in the heat of the summer. Another excellent reason to visit
at that time is the abundance of delicious melons and other fruits
and vegetables which are then available.
History
Xinjiang has a long history. The area was called Xiyu in ancient
China which means "West Region". It was plundered by the
Huns before the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). During the Western
Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), Xinjiang was treated as an integral
part of the nation's territory. Since then, Xinjiang was governed
by all successive dynasties.
What to see
Superlatives are often used when describing Xinjiang: It is the
most arid province; also contains the hottest and the coldest places;
the longest inland river, the Tarim; the lowest marsh, the Aydingkol
Lake (Moonlight Lake) in the Turpan Basin; the largest inland lake
and the largest desert. In Xinjiang tourists can visit the world-famous
Yadan Spectacle in Korla, stone forests, enjoy the mystery of the
desert with its spectacular sand mountains. The ancient Silk Road
brought Xinjiang a mix of eastern and western cultures which left
behind stunning relics. Today, those ancient cities, caves, temples
and tombs attract countless tourists from home and abroad.
While you are visiting Xinjiang, it is important to be aware of
the time zone being used. Although officially run on Beijing time,
Xinjiang people also use there own system. If Beijing time is used
it means that the sun doesn't raise until 9am and it is still light
at midnight in the summer months. When making travel arrangements,
be sure which time zone or system is being used or you could get
caught out. |
